B.C. Ferries: Engine issue forces more ferry cancellations on major route

More cancellations have been announced for the busy Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay route due to a mechanical problem on the aging vessel

Published Sep 04, 2024  •  2 minute read

File photo: The Queen of New Westminster Photo by Larry Pynn /Vancouver Sun

More than two dozen sailings on a major B.C. Ferries route have been cancelled after a vessel was docked due to a mechanical issue.

The Queen of New Westminster was pulled from service on Tuesday following its 6 a.m. sailing from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay, leading to the cancellation of seven sailings on the route.

On Tuesday afternoon, B.C. Ferries announced more cancellations over the week, starting Wednesday until Sunday, as maintenance crews work to fix the 60-year-old vessel’s main engine propulsion system.

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The following sailings have been cancelled:

Wednesday, Sept. 4
• 10 a.m. departing Tsawwassen
• 12 p.m. departing Swartz Bay
• 2 p.m. departing Tsawwassen
• 4 p.m. departing Swartz Bay

Thursday, Sept. 5:
• 6 a.m. departing Tsawwassen
• 8 a.m. departing Swartz Bay
• 10 a.m. departing Tsawwassen
• 12 p.m. departing Swartz Bay
• 2 p.m. departing Tsawwassen
• 4 p.m. departing Swartz Bay

Friday, Sept. 6:
• 6 a.m. departing Tsawwassen
• 8 a.m. departing Swartz Bay
• 10 a.m. departing Tsawwassen
• 12 p.m. departing Swartz Bay
• 2 p.m. departing Tsawwassen
• 4 p.m. departing Swartz Bay
• 6 p.m. departing Tsawwassen
• 8 p.m. departing Swartz Bay

Saturday, Sept. 7:
• 6 a.m. departing Tsawwassen
• 8 a.m. departing Swartz Bay
• 10 a.m. departing Tsawwassen
• 12 p.m. departing Swartz Bay

Sunday, Sept. 8:
• 8 a.m. departing Tsawwassen
• 10 a.m. departing Swartz Bay
• 12 p.m. departing Tsawwassen
• 2 p.m. departing Swartz Bay
• 4 p.m. departing Tsawwassen
• 6 p.m. departing Swartz Bay

The ferry company added two sailings for Tuesday and Wednesday nights — the 6 p.m. departing Swartz Bay and 8 p.m. leaving from Tsawwassen — using another vessel to help ease traffic volumes. Other sailings on the route are expected to operate as scheduled.

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B.C. Ferries said people with reservations on the cancelled sailings will be contacted by its customer service department to inform them if their booking has been cancelled or if they can be slotted in alternate sailing.

Customers whose bookings are cancelled will be refunded.

[email protected]

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